'Israel' refuses to hand over Yahya, Mohammed Sinwar’s bodies in Gaza deal

• 'Israel' will not hand over the bodies of Hamas leaders Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar in the current exchange deal.
• The announcement marks first major complication before ceasefire implementation.
• Leak via military media signals non-negotiable stance to mediators and Hamas.

A senior 'Israeli' security source has confirmed that the bodies of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and his brother Mohammed will not be handed over as part of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal, according to 'Israeli' army radio.

The source emphasized that the current deal does not include the transfer of the Sinwar brothers’ bodies under any circumstances. While no official statement has been issued by the 'Israeli' Prime Minister’s office, the leak through military media carries a clear political message to mediators and Hamas: this issue is non-negotiable at this stage.

Analysts say the move aims to prevent Hamas from staging a symbolic victory, such as a large funeral for its leader in Gaza, which could boost morale among its supporters and the wider population.

The announcement comes at a critical moment as mediators work to finalize mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

The fate of Hamas leaders, particularly Yahya Sinwar, has long been a stated target of the 'Israeli' government during the war. Detaining the bodies of fighters and leaders is a longstanding tactic used to exert psychological pressure on Palestinian factions and to maintain leverage for future negotiations.